Croquet
Croquet is a captivating recreational activity that offers a unique and enjoyable experience. Croquet remains a beloved game with more than 200 clubs and 7,000 members in England today. Here are some reasons why it’s so much fun:
Easy to Learn: We play the easy to learn Golf Croquet version that ensures even beginners have fun right away; it's a great pastime for all.Social Connection and Bonding: Croquet brings people together: camaraderie; friendly competition; teamwork and great conversations.
Strategic Thinking: To win requires strategy, geometry, and a touch of killer instinct. The mental challenge adds to the enjoyment.
Outdoor Recreation: The fresh air, green grass and sunshine contribute to the overall experience.
We enjoyed a popular, enjoyable and successful season in 2023. Twenty two players signed up, and we actually had eighteen players on the lawns on one occasion! Our first matches were in May, and we met each month through to September 2023. Among our players were our president and his wife, past presidents, members, widows, wives and partners. Coffee, Tea and home-made lemon drizzle cake was the order of the day. Generally we enjoyed the best of English summer weather: and at our last meeting, despite some light rain, our players chose to stay-on for extra games.
This inexpensive and very social activity commenced again this year in May. All Club members and their wives/partners are invited to join the group for a morning of gentle activity. Sessions are held on the morning of the second Tuesday of each month from May through to September. All equipment is supplied, as is any required coaching.
The venue is Royal Tunbridge Wells Croquet Club, Calverley Grounds, Tunbridge Wells, TN1 2SH.
If you are interested in joining the Croquet group, please speak to the organiser Michael Sander who can be contacted via the Contact page.
Functions
President’s lunch
The Highlight of the Probus year is the President’s lunch which traditionally in the past been had been held at the Hydro Hotel, Eastbourne but the venue was switched to High Rocks, Tunbridge Wells in 2022 after two years’ COVID cancellations. This year the President's lunch returned to the Hydro Hotel on Wednesday 27th March 2024.
BBQ
In 2019 in June’s glorious weather the Summer BBQ was held at Barnsgate Manor, Herons Ghyll (sadly now closed) and was attended by 51 people including members, wives/partners and guests. Due to the covid pandemic no similar events have been arranged since.
Annual picnic
The Annual picnic went ahead as planned last year in August 2023, once again hosted by David and Susan Homewood and over 30 members and partners enjoyed their hospitality. This popular event is scheduled for Friday 16th August this year.
Christmas lunch
Christmas lunch 2023 went ahead in early December after the previous year’s event had to be cancelled due to adverse weather conditions This popular annual function will be booked again for 2024, venue still to be decided.
2024 Functions are detailed in the Members’ secure area and advertised regularly by e-mail and at monthly luncheons.
Golf
Ashdown Probus Club has an active Golf section with Spring and Autumn meetings arranged annually at various golfing venues around the South east. Over recent years we have visited London Beach Hotel, Tenterden, Tudor Park Marriott Hotel, Maidstone and Broome Park Hotel and Country Club, Canterbury.
The Spring meeting in 2023 was contested at London Beach Hotel and we will returned there in June 2024. The Autumn 2023 meeting saw us at Weald of Kent Golf Club near Ashford.
The Spring meeting this year was once again at London Beach Hotel Tenterden and in September we will be enjoying a return to Weald of Kent, Headcorn.
There is a separate Golf Society section in this website where full details of all 2024 events can be found. If you are interested in joining the Golf section, the Chairman is Tom Hutchinson who may be contacted via the Contact page.
London Beach Hotel from the 18th green
Outings
Outings to varied and fascinating places are enjoyed in the company of wives, partners and friends throughout the year. Such day trips in 2019 pre Covid included museums, City livery halls, a Thames river cruise and a Blue Badge guided London walk. After the break imposed by Covid restrictions outings resumed in 2022 with a visit to the Charterhouse and Merchant Taylor’s Livery Hall in the City of London as well as a couple of theatre outings to TWODS productions.
In 2023 we returned to a more active schedule of outings including a trip to Stationers Hall in the City and an evening trip for dinner and the Opera “La Boheme” at the Theatre Royal in Brighton. In May a group of Probus members and wives made the journey to Greenwich meeting up with a Blue Badge guide by the Cutty Sark and setting off on foot around Greenwich, learning some interesting historical facts about the area. in July a group of over 20 members and guests attended the 'Rude mechanicals' outdoor theatre in Wadhurst - fortunately for all the event was transferred indoor at the Wadhurst Village Hall due to inclement weather. The final outing last year was to another livery hall - the Apothecaries Hall in the City of London in October.
The twice-annual TWODS shows in Tunbridge Wells are a popular regular feature of organised trips with a group attending a brilliant production of the musical 'Me and my Girl’ in November 2022 and “A Chorus Line” at TWODS revised venue the Trinity Theatre Tunbridge Wells in November last year.
A Calendar of all 2024 Outings are detailed in the Members’ secure area of this website including returns to this year's TWODS' production "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" and Rude Mechanicals' "The Dressing Book". There is also a September outing to the Armourers and Brasiers Livery Hall in the City of London. All events are advertised by e-mail and hard copy flyers at monthly luncheons. Outings can be by coach, train or members’ own transport.
Various volunteer members take turns to arrange outings which are co-ordinated by Roger Benison who may be contacted via the Contact page.
Ten Pin Bowling
Over recent years Ten pin bowling has taken place on the second Tuesday of the Winter months (October to March) and was open to all members and their wives/partners.
The venue is Hollywood Bowl Knights Park, Longfield Rd, Tunbridge Wells TN2 3UW starting at 10.00 a.m. and lasts about 2 hours. Pre-covid these sessions were well attended but with falling numbers and revised prices these monthly events have not yet been scheduled for 2024.
Walking Groups
Currently, there are three walking groups and we have vacancies in each of them. You do not have to be super fit to join - completing a leisurely five mile walk, followed by an optional pub lunch, is the norm. The 1st Tuesday group is for more serious walkers, undertaking six mile plus routes.
Each group meets one morning per month throughout the year, exploring the neighbouring countryside, but it is not necessary to participate in each and every walk if other priorities arise. Walking is a wonderful step toward happiness, and it’s right within your reach. You now have opportunity to join in with your fellow Club members and share the camaraderie and fun.
Let’s break down the benefits:
- Physical Health: 150 minutes of exercise per week reduces the risk of heart disease, cancer, and type 2 diabetes. Walking fits the bill.
- Mental Well-being: physical activity reduces risks of depression and dementia; improves cognitive function, memory and attention.
- Stress Relief and Better Sleep: Walking releases endorphins, lifts your mood and eases stress; it also improves quality of sleep.
- Boosting Creativity: Nature’s beauty during walks sparks creativity. Walking has been linked to enhanced creative thinking.
- Structured Days: Incorporating walks into your routine provides structure. It’s a dependable part of your day to look forward to.
- Socializing: Joining organized walks lets you connect without distractions. It’s a great way to meet up with fellow Club members!
- Me Time: Taking walks empowers you. Whether for reflection or self-discovery, it’s time well spent!
So lace up those shoes and embrace the joy of walking! We have three walking groups, each of which meet on different days of the month, weather permitting. Make your choice and contact the respective Group Leader now. If your not sure, why not give it a try with a first walk taster?
Before joining any Club excursion, event, activity or walk members are reminded that it is their own personal responsibility to decide on the level of their own capabilities and those of their partners and guests, and as to whether they should participate.
1st Tuesday Walking Group
The Tuesday walking group meet on the 1st Tuesday of each month. The group members take turns to research and organise a round walk of around 5 to 6 miles starting and finishing at a pub where we have lunch. We generally have around 8 walkers.
If you would like to join us and be added to the 1st Tuesday walking group circulation list please contact / speak to Tom Hutchinson and he will arrange for you to meet the group and see how it goes. Tom may be contacted via the Contact page in the members’ secure area.
1st Friday Walking Group
The 1st Friday Walking group was formed over 25 years ago by a bunch of enthusiastic walkers who wished to share their love of the Sussex countryside. They were the first walking group in Ashdown Probus and set a limit on their number of eight purely for organisational and social reasons. This limit remains to this day and was the reason for the formation of the other groups as the members of this of group did not wish it to grow any larger and requests to join were putting pressure on this number.
Many changes of members have taken place over the years but this group remains a happy friendly and, as originally planned, particularly tightly knit group.
Walks are arranged and led by members of the group and are usually between 5 and 6 miles, rarely strenuous, always ending at a pub for lunch and a pint, returning home by early afternoon to sleep the exertions off. This particularly applies to some members who are still walking into their eighties.
If you are interested in joining the 1st Friday walking group then please advise the current co-ordinator who is Mike Roberts and when an existing member leaves then there is a good prospect that you could be the person to make up the numbers again. Mike may be contacted via the Contact page in the members’ secure area.
3rd Thursday Walking Group
The Thursday walking group meet on the third Thursday of each month and the group is open to members and their partners with new members always very welcome.
Our walks are usually around the 5 mile mark and take in amazing countryside in the Kent and Sussex area. We take it in turns to lead a walk and always end up at a friendly pub for liquid refreshment and lunch for those wishing to stay.
Any terrain incline pains are soon overcome by friendly banter and of course the drink at the finishing post also helps!!
In a nutshell, we get to see wonderful countryside, in good company and, to top it all, healthy exercise.
If you are interested in joining the 3rd Thursday walking group, there are further details in the Members’ section. The organiser is Andrew Fermor who may be contacted via the Contact page.
